In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B, the Group A cars were limited in terms of power, weight, and allowed technology. Group A was introduced by the FIA in 1982 to replace the outgoing Group 2 as "modified touring cars", while Group N would replace Group 1 as "standard touring cars".
To qualify for homologation, a minimum of 2500 cars of the competing model have to be built in one year, out of 25,000 for the entire range of the model (eg: 2500 Subaru Impreza WRX, out of 25,000 Subaru Impreza. Up to 1991, the requirement was a minimum of 5000 cars in one year, without regards to the entire range, but the FIA allowed "Evolution" models to be homologated with a minimum of 500 cars (eg: BMW M3 Sport Evo). Now, these cars are treated as any other model in the range.
Provided for touring car competition using vehicles such as the Ford Sierra Cosworth and Nissan Skyline GT-R. These cars competed in standard bodykits, with the production-derived nature required manufactures to release faster vehicles for the roads in order to be competitive on the track. Group A stopped being used in touring car racing in 1994, when the DTM switched to a 2.5 L formula, while most other countries had adopte d the BTCC-derived Supertouring regulations. Hillclimb races still use Group A as a Touring Car class across Europe.
Under Group A in the World Rally Championship, the cars used were modified road cars, often based on turbocharged, four wheel drive versions of standard small cars such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. One prototypical rally car is the Audi Quattro. The cars are further modified for greater power and torque, and fitted with suspension and tyres specifically suited to the conditions of the specific rally, which make take place entirely on bitumen roads, different consistencies of gravel and dirt roads, and even snow-covered roads on some rallies held in northern Europe. Group A is still used as the basis for most rally competitions around the world, but the most competitive cars are limited-production prototypes, known as World Rally Cars and Super 1600. The last WRC car to use the old Group A homologation requirement was the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI.